A/N: Wooo! New Chapter! haha THANK YOU EVERYBODY who has reviewed. You know who you are, so you are getting double kudos from me at the moment! This chapter I wrote into the wee small hours of this morning in defiance of my parents and poured so much love into it! Anger does that to you. So anyways, to keep it short and sweet, enjoy this chapter and all the rest. You know the drill. Oh - and also - Robert is named Robert not because of Spunk Ransom (my lord that man is SCHMEXY!), but in my dream the dude's name was actually Robert, even though he had no face :S Dreams are weird. ENJOY! x L.

"Ally."

The voice was light and musical, soft in my ear. I wanted to open my eyes, to find the source of the voice. But I was too tired. I moved my head deeper under the covers.

"Ally." I rolled over onto my other side, not opening my eyes.

"Ally, ally oxen free."

I moaned, pulling my pillow over my head to eliminate the noise. "That is old and lame and not even worth my replying," I muttered from under the pillow.

"Up."

I squeezed my eyes shut, screwing up my face.

"Tell me about your dream," I heard him say, lifting the pillow off my head.

I opened my eyes. That woke me up.

Sitting up, I felt my face go red. "I think I will get up now," I mumbled as I scrambled out of the bed, the dream from last night still fresh in my mind and turning face a deep shade of red. I avoided Robert's raised eyebrows.

I wasn't quick enough. "Not so fast," I heard Robert say. I felt his cold arms encircle my waist.

I was back on the bed in a split second, my head spinning. I tried to get up again, but my arms wouldn't move. I glanced to my left out the corner my eye. Robert's hands had encircled my wrists, pinning them down on the bed. I was extremely aware of the fact that his body was hovering very close to mine.

"Tell me. About your dream." His breath was cool and sweet in my face. It made my head spin even more. I couldn't think straight. "That's unfair," I grumbled, turning my head and closing my eyes. Opening them, I glared at Robert.

"Truth by force," I mocked. "How daring of you." Robert had this thing about violence that I found amusing for someone who had the strength of ten Rocky's. He refused to use his strength on me, no matter what the situation. Of course, there had been many a time when I had tested his patience – most recently at the age fourteen, when I had gone through a rebellious phase.

We stared – or in my case tired to glare – at each other for a few more minutes. Looking at his face, tracing his features with my eyes, I felt my stomach flip and the red heat return to my face.

Sighing, Robert rolled his body off me and I seized the opportunity to jump off the bed and start getting changed.

"Where are Charlie and Bella?" I asked, breaking the silence as I pulled a long sleeved shirt on. Outside it was overcast and gray. From what I had heard on the news, we were expecting thunderstorms for the rest of the week.

"Charlie left hours ago," Robert said, hinting at the time. "Fishing again. And Bella is with Edward, like she planned."

I frowned, not sure how I felt about Bella being with Edward. She had explained the other day about their decision to spend the day together. I mean sure, to most people it would seem like a harmless date. But it was far from harmless, and if it all went wrong…I cringed at the thought.

I turned back around, facing Robert as he stood up and stretched. "What shall we do today?" he asked, lying back on the bed. He stretched out like a cat, putting his hands behind his head. His eyes were closed, but he wasn't sleeping. I watched, mesmerized as he breathed in and out. A natural movement. My open window blew in a gentle breeze, tousling his brown hair. He was as beautiful as Adonis, dangerous as Achilles. "My hero," I muttered.

His eyebrows rose as he heard my muttering. Curse sensitive hearing. "So, have you decided yet?" he asked. I sat on the end of the bed with my legs crossed, untying and retying the shoelaces one the end of Robert's left leg. An idea formed in my head and I grinned.

"Let's go to La Push," I breathed, the smile on my face daring.

"No," Robert said bluntly. He was off the bed in a flash, now standing, arms folded.

"I groaned. "Why?" I complained.

"You know perfectly well why," was his reply. I rolled my eyes. "I don't see why you care so much. I mean, they're not even going to see you or anything. You are invisible," I retorted.

"It's not because of that and you know it. It's because -" I cut him off. "Because of the treaty the Cullens made so many ancient years ago. Because you are respecting the treaty and all the rest of it. A treaty that doesn't even apply to you."

I took a deep breath. "I know you tell me about it all the time. But Robert, it doesn't matter. Both the Cullens and the Quileutes have no idea that you even exist, so it's hardly breaking the treaty."

Robert was silent, contemplating what I had just said. I lay on the bed, watching the ceiling in silence.

"Okay," he finally spoke. I sat up. "Let's go to La Push." I looked at him warily, the smile on my face betraying my excitement. "Really?" I breathed.

He nodded. "But not First Beach. South more, where there are not many people."

I squealed, jumping off my bed, enveloping Robert in a hug. "Thank you!" I cried, my voice muffled by his chest.

"Whoa," he laughed. "Take it easy there Ally." He pushed me away, holding me at arms length with an expression that was a mix between pain and amusement.

"Oops," I giggled. I had forgotten that today was Saturday, which meant that Robert was feeling…a little more off colour than usual. I looked at his face, noticing for the first time that his eyes were a dark black instead of the usual golden brown.

"Are you sure you're right to go? I mean, if you aren't feeling up to it, I guess we could just…do homework," I grimaced inwardly at the thought, chewing on a fingernail.

Robert laughed. "I'm fine, honestly. Not at all in the least bit puckish. The squirrels of the Hoh forest live for another day."

I stared, my mouth open in disgust. "That," I started to say slowly, "was uncalled for and disgusting. Never, ever, talk about the squirrels like that again," I spat, my stomach churning. Nine years and my stomach still hadn't come to terms with Robert's unusual eating habits.

"I'm sorry Ales," he whispered softly, concern all over his face. He walked over to where I stood, placing a hand on my shoulder. I glanced at it, resisting the urge to jump at the electric tingle that ran through my body. His other hand tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, my stomach flipping once more.

"It's okay," I laughed, taking his hand off my shoulder. "I'm going to La Push," I yelled out loud, doing a victory dance. Robert laughed, pushing me out of my bedroom.

--

We ended up on a walking trail twenty miles from First Beach. It was hardly ever used, according to an old guide I picked up from one of the kitchen drawers, with most families and visitors preferring to stay closer to the Reservation.

It was definitely beautiful here – the whole of the Olympic Peninsula was. A small and faded sign told us that the beach was approximately a mile from the car park. The only sounds as we made our way onto the path was the crunching of the undergrowth beneath our feet. The trees swayed in the breeze, creating a peaceful whooshing noise that was only disturbed by the occasional call of a bird above our heads. I let Robert lead the way.

After about fifteen minutes, light filtered through the tops of the trees, creating shadows and crystal patterns on the green foliage below. In front of me, Robert picked his way gracefully through the forest. When the light hit the exposed parts of his body, it took my breath away, even after all this time.

He moved over a fallen log in once fluid motion, the movement creating the tiny diamonds embedded in his pale white skin.

I stood behind the fallen log, my gaze locked on one of his muscular arms as the patterns chopped and changed like a kaleidoscope. His skin was still a cause for fascination, even after living in more…sunnier places.

"Earth to Ally!" Robert's hand was waving in front of my face. I jerked my head up, leaving the thoughts I shouldn't be having. "Hmmm?" Robert laughed. "Are you coming? This was your idea, remember."

I scowled. "Of course I'm coming. I was just thinking, that's all," I responded defensively. Robert extended me his hand and I took it, stepped over the moss covered log. "Thinking about what? Your dream?"

I threw Robert a dirty look. "Very inquisitive this morning, aren't you?" I snapped jokingly. "And you are very defensive," Robert refuted in the same joking manner. I scowled again.

Robert looked at me curiously as I started to walk away. "Coming?" I said in the same sarcastic tone he had used before. His still figure grew smaller and smaller as I walked away.

Suddenly, he was by my side. I blinked. "Don't do that," I said crossly. "Do what?" he laughed, disappearing. "You know exactly what! I'm leaving now!" I yelled, continuing the walk along the track in a huff. I zipped up my jacket. Trust a guy to ruin an outing.

"Wait."

Robert was now standing in front of me, and I froze before I bumped into him. "Don't be mad." His voice was like velvet, drifting away in the whisper of the trees. He took hold of my chin. "I'm not mad," I whispered, feeling my heart hammering inside my ribcage as I felt the anger melt away. Surely he could hear my heart beating away.

"Okay, so you're temperamental then? Feeling a little angsty?" I shook my head, his hand dropping from my chin. "It's just a dream Robert. I don't know why you keep talking about it."

"I promise I won't mention the dream again," Robert said. "I just…I just don't see why you can't tell me. I hate that. I hate it when you don't tell me things. I feel…powerless. Like I cannot protect you."

I sighed. "Robert, I don't have to tell you everything. Some things are best left unsaid. And I think you've mastered the protection thing pretty well. I'm still alive, aren't I?"

Robert just shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Come on – I'll give you a piggyback. I can smell the salt of the beach from here."

--

Not far from the water lay an exposed rock that was large enough for both of us to sit on. Pulling my jacket around me, I leaned against Robert, resting my head on his shoulder. It was a pose that I loved, one that was oddly comfortable and natural. So why did I want more? Why did I wish for his arms to be wrapped around me? I'm crazy, I thought.

"Are we friends again?" I heard Robert chuckle. I had closed my eyes, letting my other senses soak up the smells of the beach and the sounds of the forest. "Mmhmm." I felt tired from the walk, the sounds of the ocean soothing.

"I dreamt about him. Again," I suddenly said out loud, breaking the silence. It was the half truth at least. Robert lifted my head off his shoulder. "And you could not have mentioned this before? That's why I'm here Ally." I nestled my head n his shoulder again. "I know." I let silence envelop us as I fought with my head about whether or not to tell him the whole dream. "There's more to it then just him though. But I can't tell you that part." My voice was barely a whisper.

Robert's hand reached up to my hair, smoothing down the pieces that were flying in the breeze. He then let his hand drop to my elbow, so that we were almost hugging. "These dreams, Ally," he began softly. I knew he was looking for the right words to use. "It's not fair on yourself if you keep thinking about him. That's what keeps the dreams alive. You're safe, he can't hurt you anymore."

I sighed. Robert was right, as usual. Nine years was a long time ago. There was no reason for me to fear anything anymore, but these were wounds that refused to heal.

"What worries me is that this is the first time you've dreamt of him since, well, since you left Maine. Why start again now? He was talking more to himself than to me. If only he knew the whole dream, he would understand. But I couldn't tell him…

I stood up, unzipping my jacket. Everything was a little gloomy and profound for my liking. We needed to lighten things up a little. I chucked the jacket on the piece of rock where I had just been sitting.

"Race you to the rocks," I smiled slyly. I burst out into a full run, knowing that I wouldn't have a hope in hell of beating him, even if I had cheated a little bit.

I laughed aloud as I ran through the spray of salt water, Robert deliberately running slower behind me. I squealed as I felt his arms grab my waist, and we tumbled into the sand.

I lay sprawled out on the sand laughing, Robert next to me. I breathed in and out heavily, catching my breath. I turned my head sideways, looking at Robert. He had rolled himself onto his side, using his arm to prop himself up. I looked up at him through my eyelashes, watching the way his hair blew in the wind. Again.

"I wonder what Bella and Edward are doing right now," I mused, waiting for Robert's reaction. As I had predicted, he groaned, rolling back over so he could stand up. "You're thinking of Bella and Edward now?" He extended a hand out to me and I took it, standing up.

I avoided the question. "Ugh. I have sand everywhere." I took off one of my shoes, letting the sand fall out. I shook my body, letting the sand fall back onto the beach. Robert laughed. "Don't laugh at me. You'll be walking home if you bring sand into my car," I warned. "Ally, I hate to break this to you, but I walking home would be faster than you driving."

I smirked. "That's because you cheat," I grumbled.

"Shall we go?" Robert asked as we made our back to the rock. I sighed, looking at my watch. It was after three o'clock already. It had been such a beautiful day. "I guess." At the forest edge, I let Robert pick me up and swing me on his back. Apparently my fast paced walking was still to slow for him.

"Don't you dare get sand in my car," I warned again once we had reached the car park.

--

We were quiet in the car as I concentrated on the road. I had my iPod playing, this time tuned into a classical play list. I tapped my fingernails on the steering wheel in time to the music.

Glancing at Robert, I frowned. "You know, I'd feel a whole lot better if you wore a seat belt." Robert laughed. "And you don't mind getting strange looks if the police were to pull you over?" It was my turn to laugh. "Safety over strangeness any day."

Robert shook his head. "I would be the one to walk away without any scratches Ally." I frowned. "No more depressing talk," I declared, changing the piece of music to something lighter.

We were silent once more as I turned back onto the highway. "There's more to the dream, isn't there?" Robert asked unexpectedly as I reached the street Charlie's house was on. "I thought we weren't going to talk about my dreams anymore," I muttered. Bella's truck wasn't in the driveway when I pulled in – she was still with Edward. I hoped.

"I want to know what you aren't telling me." I rolled my eyes, hopping out of the car. "I don't have to tell you, remember? I thought we had already gone over this!" I unlocked the door, entering the quiet house, my words reverberating off the walls. I hung my coat up, closing the door behind Robert. I didn't bother to lock it like Charlie did.

I dropped my keys on the table, searching for a muesli bar. I was starving.

"You're deliberately avoiding this." I turned. Robert was standing against the wall, arms folded. His face was darker. "Yes, I am deliberately avoiding talking about my dreams. I'm sick of talking about my dreams. Why can't we talk about something else? Like…my Government essay that I have to do with Lauren? Why can't we talk about that, huh?"

I had moved closer to Robert, leaving the muesli bar on the counter. This had me rattled – we hardly ever fought, and when we did, never like this.

"Because these dreams – no, dream, is getting you all worked up. I've never seen you like this before…all snappy and defensive." I rolled my eyes, throwing up my hands. "Have you ever thought that maybe you asking me all these questions is making me all snappy and defensive?"

Robert sighed. "I'm just trying to do my job. And my job is to protect you, and that means I need to know this stuff!" I glowered at Robert. "Well maybe I don't need protecting."

The house was quiet as we glared at each other. It was a harsh blow on my part, and one I regretted the instant I said it.

"I would reply back to that, but we have company," Robert said, jerking his head in the direction of the door. A smirk was appearing on his face. My own eyes went wide with fear as I turned my head, my eyes meeting those of Bella's shocked brown eyes and worse, the golden eyes of Edward Cullen.